Citizens across America begin casting their votes on Tuesday to elect the next president. While election outcomes traditionally emerge shortly after polls close, this year's close race might require additional time for definitive results.
The 2024 presidential election schedule begins with initial polls closing at 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT) on Tuesday, whilst final polls conclude at 01:00 EST (06:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
When can we expect the results?
The first polls will close at around 7 pm ET (5:30 am IST) in six states, including Georgia. The final polls will close in the blue state of Hawaii and in the red state of Alaska at 12 am ET (10:30 am IST). Total votes will close by 1 pm ET (11:30 am IST), following which counting will start.
Previous presidential contests have often produced clear winners during election night or early the following day.
However, the current close margins in numerous states may cause news organisations to exercise additional caution before announcing a projected winner.
Recent polls show Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump , the former president, maintaining virtually equal support.
Close results could necessitate vote recounts in certain states. For instance, Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, would require a recount if the difference between winner and runner-up is less than half a percentage point. The 2020 election saw a margin of just over 1.1 percentage points.
Republicans have already initiated over 100 pre-election legal proceedings, challenging voter eligibility and electoral roll management.
Additional factors that might delay results include potential disruptions at polling stations or other election-related disturbances.
Historically election result declaration time varies significantly
During the 2020 elections, television networks did not declare Joe Biden the winner until four days after election day, when the result in Pennsylvania became clearer.
Previous contests saw quicker results. Donald Trump's victory announcement came shortly before 03:00 EST (08:00 GMT) on November 9, 2016, within hours of poll closure.
Barack Obama's re-election in November 2012 saw an even quicker resolution, with projections confirming his second term before midnight on election day itself.
A notable deviation occurred in 2000, when the Bush-Gore contest remained unresolved for five weeks. The final outcome emerged only after the US Supreme Court halted Florida's recount, confirming George W Bush's presidency.
What happens in case of a deadlock
If both candidates receive an equal number of electoral college votes - 269 each - a rare scenario could unfold.
In such circumstances, the decision shifts to the House of Representatives, where members would cast their votes to select the president through a contingent election procedure.
Simultaneously, the Senate would undertake the responsibility of voting to determine the vice-president.
However, this extraordinary situation has not occurred in approximately two centuries.
Also See:
US Presidential Election | US Elections Results 2024
The 2024 presidential election schedule begins with initial polls closing at 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT) on Tuesday, whilst final polls conclude at 01:00 EST (06:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
When can we expect the results?
The first polls will close at around 7 pm ET (5:30 am IST) in six states, including Georgia. The final polls will close in the blue state of Hawaii and in the red state of Alaska at 12 am ET (10:30 am IST). Total votes will close by 1 pm ET (11:30 am IST), following which counting will start.
Previous presidential contests have often produced clear winners during election night or early the following day.
However, the current close margins in numerous states may cause news organisations to exercise additional caution before announcing a projected winner.
Recent polls show Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump , the former president, maintaining virtually equal support.
Close results could necessitate vote recounts in certain states. For instance, Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, would require a recount if the difference between winner and runner-up is less than half a percentage point. The 2020 election saw a margin of just over 1.1 percentage points.
Republicans have already initiated over 100 pre-election legal proceedings, challenging voter eligibility and electoral roll management.
Additional factors that might delay results include potential disruptions at polling stations or other election-related disturbances.
Historically election result declaration time varies significantly
During the 2020 elections, television networks did not declare Joe Biden the winner until four days after election day, when the result in Pennsylvania became clearer.
Previous contests saw quicker results. Donald Trump's victory announcement came shortly before 03:00 EST (08:00 GMT) on November 9, 2016, within hours of poll closure.
Barack Obama's re-election in November 2012 saw an even quicker resolution, with projections confirming his second term before midnight on election day itself.
A notable deviation occurred in 2000, when the Bush-Gore contest remained unresolved for five weeks. The final outcome emerged only after the US Supreme Court halted Florida's recount, confirming George W Bush's presidency.
What happens in case of a deadlock
If both candidates receive an equal number of electoral college votes - 269 each - a rare scenario could unfold.
In such circumstances, the decision shifts to the House of Representatives, where members would cast their votes to select the president through a contingent election procedure.
Simultaneously, the Senate would undertake the responsibility of voting to determine the vice-president.
However, this extraordinary situation has not occurred in approximately two centuries.
Also See:
US Presidential Election | US Elections Results 2024
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